Area farmers see price of propane rise

Propane prices are on the rise, coming at one of the worst times of the winter.

The price is putting some in such a bind that they must decide whether to buy gas or pay other bills.

The extreme cold gripping much of the Midwest and eastern United States has created a big demand for propane.

“I understand about supply and demand, but this is crazy,” said Roxann Bentley, a farmer who uses the gas.

Bentley said she can raise about 20,000 turkeys in the two sheds she owns. Two propane tanks are needed to keep them warm.

“We keep them at 88-90 degrees when they’re babies,” she said.

Her sheds are currently vacant. In about a week, Bentley said more turkeys are scheduled to be delivered. If prices stay high, she said her sheds will have to remain empty.

“We’re scheduled to come back in the week of Feb. 3,” she said.

Farmers from around the region said they are struggling. Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe’s office said they put provisions in place in early January to make it easier for propane providers to obtain propane for sale to farms.

Earlier in 2014, propane was sold for a little more than $1 per gallon. Currently, it is more than $4 per gallon.

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